Sarawak and beyond

By far one of the most anticipated round of elections ever in Malaysian history, Sarawak is set to be under the limelight once again. The Sarawak state elections, which is to be held on 19 April, would set the tone for the 13th general elections, widely expected to be called within this couple of years. Inevitably, mouth-watering clashes between the Barisan Nasional coalition and Pakatan Rakyat is on the cards. For the past year or two, the opposing momentum in Peninsula Malaysia had more or less spread across the South China Sea towards the inland of Sarawak. This was coupled with Pakatan Rakyat making massive inroads in Sarawak, knowing that what was once BN's fortress and fixed deposit is currently vulnerable.
Abdul Taib Mahmud, at the helm of the Sarawak government for 30 years, is currently at the twilight of his career. Repeated accusations of his widespread property acquisitions and businesses across the globe drew global attention. His wealth was drawn to comparison with that of the Sultan of Brunei. This was not helped when his daughter-in-law filed a 400million divorce suit against his son, knowing that the amount is only a pinch on an elephant. One person who deserves credit is Clare Rewcastle Brown (ex UK prime minister Gordon Brown's sis in law), the backbone of SawarakReport.org, who had been keeping track of his wealth and properties. These figures which are published in the website, draws some 15,000 visitors to the site daily. Clare Brown's aim is simple: overthrowing one of the richest man in Malaysia. Together with the figurative website is RadioFreeSawarak, a radio broadcast which reaches out to Sarawak natives. With a vast number of indigenous people still residing within the forests, the broadcast attempt to remind them of the constant land grabs, unfair treatment and poor development.
Those who are deserted and unreachable would remain to be deluded. And for this fact, the Abdul Taib-intangibility continues. He would act according to his wimps and fancies, knowing that inland natives are blinded by his empty promises and sweet treats.

On the opposing end, we have Pakatan Rakyat, with SNAP joining into the fray recently. Since the 12th general election, there were high hopes in Sarawak of denying BN's two-third majority or even overthrowing the government. With the emergence of Baru Bian, the well-received PKR leader, together with the existing chinese DAP leaders, dayak SNAP leaders, and malay leaders of PAS, the coalition saw itself well-represented. This was further buoyed by the government's recent decision to with-hold and impose unreasonable conditions on the Malay bible. This was only a year after the government had ban Christians from mentioning the name 'Allah'. With the majority of Sarawakians being Christians, these issues would definitely serve as a trump card for the opposition coalition. But the recent chronological of events which transpired as a result of inter-party bickering had pour cold water towards the expectations. All parties are currently in a deadlock of distributing seats. PKR demanded 52 seats out of the 71 up for grabs, leaving 19 for the other 3 parties, while SNAP demanded 40. In fact, DAP is on the verge of pulling out of the coalition and contest on its own due to the excessive demands of PKR. Without a doubt, PKR's move is seen as selfish and arrogant, just when the party is hitting rock bottom with the long list of defections in Peninsula. However, a conciliation between the coalition members is still on the cards, with the national leaders of all parties due to have a final round of negotiations.

Indeed, damage by Abdul Taib is beyond repair, but the opposition had people in despair. The opposition will have themselves to blame if they couldnt take advantage of the vulnerable state BN is in.